Vial presentation module, slide dispenser and slide presentation module

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for uncapping and capping a vial while maintaining a relationship between a cap and a particular vial includes rotatable members, the rotation of which is coordinated so that the first and second members assume at least two common positions, and a capped vial is loaded into the first member and a cap is removed from the vial and held by the second member while the rotatable members are in a common position. The cap is applied to the vial by the second member while in the members are in a second common position. An apparatus for storing and dispensing slides includes a cartridge that holds slides that are horizontally stacked on a bottom surface of the cartridge. The slides stand up at least partially on one side and are dispensed from the cartridge through a recess in the bottom of the cartridge. An apparatus for storing and presenting slides includes a cartridge having a slot, a shaft with trays extending there from, a motor for rotating the shaft and an actuator. The actuator contacts a slide on a tray and displaces the slide from an original position on the tray inside the cartridge to an extended position through the slot at least partially outside of the cartridge.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments relate to equipment used in the preparation of biologicalspecimen slides and, more particularly, to a module that automaticallyuncaps, presents and caps vials, a slide dispensing apparatus thatarranges slides on a side rather than being stacked vertically one ontop of another, and a module that presents a slide from a top of acartridge that includes a fanning or helical arrangement of trays andslides.

BACKGROUND

Medical professionals and technicians, such as cytotechnologists,prepare numerous slides with samples of biological specimens. Acytotechnologist retrieves a vial or container having a sample, removesthe cap or cover from the vial, obtains a sample, places a sample on aslide, places the cap back on the vial to close the vial, and places thevial back in a rack or storage. A cytotechnologist typically uses amarker to label the cap to identify which cap belongs to a particularvial so that the wrong cap is not placed on the wrong vial this preventscross-contamination of samples in different vials. Repeating thesemanual uncapping, marking and capping actions to prepare multiplespecimen slides is very time consuming, inefficient, and laborintensive. A cytotechnologist's valuable time that is wasted with thesetasks would be better spent analyzing specimen samples and conductingother more important work.

Some known systems have provided for machines having limited cappingfunctionality or limited de-capping functionality, particularly in thearea of filling and capping vials that are filled with prescriptiondrugs. Known systems, however, can be improved. For example, a systemshould be automated so that a vial can be automatically loaded,uncapped, presented to a cytotechnologist or processing device to obtaina sample, and automatically re-capped. An automated system shouldeliminate many of the tedious and repetitive uncapping, marking andcapping tasks that are associated with known systems and techniques. Inaddition, automated systems should place the correct cap on a particularvial so that samples are not contaminated or misidentified.

Cytotechnologists may also utilize slide cartridges for storing anddispensing slides. Cartridges typically store slides in a verticallystacked arrangement. For example, some cartridges store about 100 to 200slides, one on top of another, so that, top to bottom surfaces ofadjacent slides are in contact with each other. A stack of about 100glass slides can impart a force of about one pound on the bottom glassslide. Such forces can present significant problems for processingmachines and devices that retrieve a bottom slide from the stack anddeliver the selected slide to another processing station for applying aspecimen sample, staining, printing, etc. For example, a machine ordevice may have difficulty pushing a slide out from underneath the stackof other slides as a result of the weight and friction on the topsurface of the bottom slide caused by the weight of the slides above. Amachine or device may also accidentally select more than one slide as aresult of slides being arranged in a vertical stack and the selectionelement not being able to engage an individual slide. Further, a slidemay also “tiddlywink” or flop upward at an angle or exhibit otherirregular motions as the slide is close to being pushed out fromunderneath the stack of slides. These irregular motions result from theweight of the slides above being focused on the second or last end ofthe slide as the last end is removed from underneath the stack. Theseirregular motions can result in slide placement errors and damagedslides.

Known slide cartridges can thus be improved. Slides should be arrangedwithin and dispensed from a cartridge in a more reliable and predictablemanner. The vertical weight that is applied to individual slides, inparticular, to ends of slides as they are pushed out from underneath astack of slides, should be reduced and/or eliminated. Slides should alsobe dispensed from a cartridge to a predictable position that enables acytotechnologist or a processing device or machine to easily select thedispensed slide, thus reducing slide picking and processing errors.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, an apparatus for uncapping and capping avial while maintaining a relationship between a cap and a particularvial includes first and second rotatable members. The first rotatablemember can holds a vial in a plurality of positions. The second membercan uncap and cap a vial. The first and second members are rotated in acoordinated manner so that the first and second members assume at leasttwo common positions. In one common position, a capped vial is loadedinto the first member and a cap being removed from the vial and held bythe second member. In the second common position, the cap is applied tothe vial by the second member.

The second member can rotate above the first member. The members canhave lobes. The members can have the same number of lobes, or adifferent number of lobes, e.g., one member can have two lobes and theother can have three lobes. The

The first member is rotatable among positions for loading and uncappinga vial, presenting the opened vial, and capping and unloading a vial.The second member can uncap a vial and hold the cap. The members canrotate around a common or different axis depending on the configurationof the members and thus, can rotate a different number of degreesbetween different stations or stops.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus for storing and dispensingslides includes a cartridge that is configured to hold a plurality ofslides that are horizontally stacked on a bottom surface of thecartridge so that the slides stand up at least partially on one side.The bottom of the cartridge includes a recess, and a slide is dispensedfrom the cartridge through the recess.

Thus, none of the slides are stacked vertically or on a top or bottomsurface within the cartridge, and gravity is the primary vertical forcethat is applied to an individual slide within the cartridge and thatcauses a slide to be dispensed from the cartridge through the recess.The slides can be arranged inside the cartridge so that each slidestands up on one side or at an angle, for example, 45-90 degrees withrespect to the bottom surface of the cartridge, and a slide can bedispensed through the recess at angle of about 10-45 degrees withrespect to the bottom surface of the cartridge. A slide can be dispensedfrom the cartridge onto a holding member, such as a pair of ramp membersor a belt, and the slide comes to rest on the holding member and can beretrieved or selected by processing equipment.

According to a further embodiment, an apparatus for storing andpresenting slides includes a cartridge that has a slot, a shaft, traysthat extend from the shaft and that are for holding a slide, a motorthat rotates the shaft and an actuator. The actuator contacting a slideon a tray, displacing the contacted slide from an original position onthe tray inside the cartridge to an extended position through the slotand at least partially outside of the cartridge.

The trays can be radially and vertically offset from each other andarranged in, for example, a fanning or helical arrangement along theshaft. The actuator can be a wheel, such as a friction wheel or areciprocating member, which displaces the slide partially outside of thecartridge or ejects the slide from the cartridge. The shaft can berotated to position the next slide into a position to be displaced orejected, e.g., in a stepwise manner or for a certain number of degreesdepending on the number of trays extending from the shaft.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers representcorresponding parts throughout:

FIGS. 1A-B are respective top and side views of a two-lobeuncapping/capping member and a three-lobe vial holding member accordingto one embodiment;

FIG. 1C illustrates an alternative embodiment of a three-lobe member forholding a vial;

FIGS. 2A-B are respective top and side views of a three-lobe member forholding a vial in a plurality of positions according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 3A-B are respective top and side views of a two-lobe member foruncapping and capping a vial according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 4A-H illustrate different positions of a vial holding member andan uncapping/capping member during phases of automated vial uncappingand capping;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing steps of automated vial capping anduncapping according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 6A-B show an alternative embodiment having a three-lobe vialholding member and a three-lobe uncapping/capping member;

FIG. 7 illustrates cartridges that are used to load and unload vialsrelative to a three-lobe vial holding member according to oneembodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates a circular or continuous cartridge that is used toload and unload vials relative to a three-lobe vial holding memberaccording to another embodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates a vial storage element and cartridges that are usedto load and unload vials relative to a three-lobe vial holding memberaccording to a further embodiment;

FIG. 10A illustrates a typical specimen slide;

FIG. 10B illustrates a known slide cartridge that includes verticallystacked slides, one on top of another;

FIGS. 11A-B illustrate a slide cartridge or slide dispensing moduleaccording to one embodiment in which slides are horizontally stacked onand dispensed through a bottom recess formed in the cartridge and alonga ramp;

FIGS. 12A-B are partial front and top views of a slide that is dispensedfrom a cartridge and on a ramp;

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram showing how slides are arranged in anddispensed from a cartridge according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 14A-C are partial top views of stages of a slide that is dispensedfrom a cartridge and being selected or picked by slide handling orprocessing equipment;

FIGS. 15A-C are side views of stages of a slide that is dispensed from acartridge and being selected or picked by slide handling or processingequipment;

FIG. 16 illustrates an embodiment of a slide dispensing module thatmoves slides within the module using a spring;

FIG. 17A illustrates an embodiment of a slide dispensing module thatmoves slides within the module using a conveyor or transport member;

FIGS. 17B-F illustrate an embodiment of a slide dispensing module thathas a ramp in the form of a belt that moves slides down the belt withthe assistance of a support member or foot on the belt; FIG. 18 shows aslide cartridge that moves slides towards a button recess in thecartridge using repulsive magnetic forces;

FIGS. 19A-B show a slide cartridge according to another embodiment inwhich slides are partially stacked on edge or at an angle and dispensedthrough a bottom recess in the cartridge along a ramp;

FIGS. 20A-B are side and top views of fingers of a slide selectionplatform having a friction surface or pad at the end thereof;

FIG. 20C is a front view illustrating fingers of a slide selectionplatform relative to a ramp;

FIGS. 21A-G illustrate how slides that are stacked at least partially onone side are dispensed from a cartridge and onto fingers of a slideplatform having a friction surface or pad;

FIG. 22 is a partial side view of a cartridge having trays that thathold slides in a spiral or helical arrangement;

FIG. 23 is a top view of a cartridge having trays and slides that arearranged in a spiral or helical arrangement;

FIGS. 24A-B are respective side and top views of a cartridge having avertical slot extending between the top and bottom of the cartridge forstoring slides in a spiral or helical arrangement according to oneembodiment;

FIGS. 24C-D are respective side and top views of a cartridge having aslot extending partially between the top and bottom of the cartridge;for storing slides in a spiral arrangement according to anotherembodiment;

FIG. 25 is an exploded side view of trays supporting slides;

FIG. 26 is an exploded top view of trays supporting slides;

FIG. 27 is a flow chart illustrating loading into and dispensing slidesfrom a cartridge according to one embodiment;

FIG. 28 illustrates an original position of a slide on a tray andextended positions;

FIG. 29 illustrates a friction wheel actuator according to oneembodiment; and

FIG. 30 illustrates a reciprocating actuator according to anotherembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings which form a part hereof, and which show by way of illustrationspecific embodiments in which embodiments may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that structural changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-3B, one embodiment provides an apparatus 100 foruncapping and capping a vial while maintaining a relationship between acap that is associated with a particular vial. The apparatus includes afirst rotatable vial holding member 110 and a second rotatableuncapping/capping member 120.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A-3B, the first rotatable member 110has a generally triangular shape having three lobes 111-113. The secondrotatable member 120 is a two-lobe member having lobes 121 and 122. Thelobes 111-113 of the first member 110 include mechanisms 114 that areused to hold or secure a vial. The holding mechanism 114 can be, forexample, cavities formed within a top surface of the first rotatablemember 110 as shown in FIGS. 1A-B and 2. Alternatively, the holdingmembers 114 can be flexible finger-like retaining members that wraparound a vial, as shown in FIG. 1C. A vial can be secured between thefinger-like members and removed from the members by hand or by anotherprocessing machine or device. For purposes of illustration andexplanation, this specification primarily refers to the holding members114 shown in FIGS. 1A-B and 2.

The lobes 121 and 122 of the second rotatable member 120 includeuncapping/capping mechanisms or “spinner” mechanisms 124. A spinnermechanism 124 grasps or latches onto a cap and rotates the cap in aclockwise or counterclockwise direction. The mechanism 124 rotates inone direction to remove the cap from the vial and holds the cap after itis removed. The mechanism 124 reapplies the cap that it holds to a vial,preferably the vial that is associated with that particular cap, byrotating the cap in an opposite direction to screw the cap back onto thevial. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that otherdecapping/capping mechanisms 124 other than “spinner” mechanisms thatrotate caps from and onto threaded vials can be used. For example, thecap may instead be removed by lifting the cap from a vial by overcominga sealing pressure rather than unscrewing the cap. Theuncapping/decapping mechanism 124 can be configured as needed dependingon the capping method used.

The first and second members 110 and 120 rotate about respective axes115 and 125, and the second rotatable member 120 rotates above the firstrotatable member 110. In the illustrated embodiment, the first andsecond members 110 and 120 rotate about different axes 115 and 125. Inother words, the first member 110 rotates about a central axis 115, andthe second member 120 rotates about an axis 125 that is offset relativeto the central axis 115.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first member 110 rotates among threedifferent positions A, B and C. Position A is generally referred to asthe “loading/uncapping” position. In this position, a capped vial isloaded from a cartridge or other source and into a lobe of the firstmember 110. The cap is removed from the loaded vial. Position B isgenerally referred to as the “presentation” position. In this position,an uncapped vial is presented or provided to a cytotechnologist so thata specimen sample can be obtained from the uncapped vial. Position C isgenerally referred to as the “capping/unloading” position. In thisposition, the vial is recapped with the same cap, and can be unloadedfrom the lobe of the first member 110.

In the illustrated embodiment, the second member 120 rotates between twopositions. With its uncapping and capping functions, the second member120 rotates between at least the “loading/uncapping” position A and the“capping/unloading” position C. Rotation of the first and second members110 and 120 is coordinated to provide automated uncapping and capping ofvials is described in further detail below, with reference to FIGS. 4A-Hand 5.

FIGS. 4A-H illustrate the different positions of the first member 110and the second member 120 and the associated uncapping, presentation andre-capping stages. In the top portion of each of FIGS. 4A-H, the secondmember 120 is shown in phantom so that the first member 110 can beclearly seen, and the second member 120 is shown in full there belowrelative to the first member 110.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the first member 110 is initially arranged so thatlobe 111 is in position A, lobe 112 is in position C, and lobe 113 is inposition B. The second member 120 is initially arranged so that lobe 121is in position A and lobe 122 is in position C. A capped vial (Vial 1)is loaded into a holding member 114 of lobe 111. A spinner mechanism 124of lobe 121 of the second member 120 removes a cap (Cap 1) from Vial 1.Thus, lobe 111 holds uncapped Vial 1 in position A, and lobe 121 holdsCap 1 for Vial 1 in position A.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the first member 110 rotates 120 degrees clockwiseso that lobe 111 holding the uncapped Vial 1 is moved from position A toposition B or to the presentation position. A cytotechnologist canremove Vial 1 from lobe 111, obtain a specimen sample, and returnuncapped Vial 1 to lobe 111. Thus, lobe 111 holds uncapped Vial 1 inposition B, and lobe 121 still holds Cap 1 for Vial 1 in position A.

Referring to FIG. 4C, after Cap 1 is removed from Vial 1, or at any timewhile the uncapped Vial 1 is presented to a cytotechnologist, the secondmember 120 rotates 180 degrees so that lobe 121 moved from position A toposition C, and lobe 122 is moved from position C to position A. Thus,Cap 1 is held by lobe 121 in position C, lobe 122 of the second member120 is empty, and Vial 1 is held by lobe 111 of the first member 110 inposition B.

Referring to FIG. 4D, a second capped vial, Vial 2, is loaded from acartridge or other source into a holding member 114 of lobe 112. Aspinner mechanism 124 of lobe 122 of the second member 120 removes a cap(Cap 2) from Vial 2. Thus, lobe 111 of the first member 110 holdsuncapped Vial 1 in position B, lobe 112 of the first member 110 holdsuncapped Vial 2 in position A, lobe 121 of the second member 120 holdsCap 1 for Vial 1 in position C, and lobe 122 of the second member 120holds Cap 2 for Vial 2 in position A.

Referring to FIG. 4E, after the cytotechnologist is completed with Vial1, the first member 110 rotates 120 degrees so that lobe 111 holdingopen Vial 1 is moved from position B to position C, and lobe 112 holdingVial 2 is moved from position A to position B. The second member 120 isstationary so that lobe 121 holding Cap 1 is also in position C. Vial 1is also in position C. Lobe 122 holding Cap 2 remains at position A. Inposition C, Cap 1 is re-applied to Vial 1 by lobe 121 of the secondmember 120. A cytotechnologist can remove Vial 2 from the holder 114 oflobe 112, obtain a specimen sample, and return uncapped Vial 2 to lobe112. Additionally, another vial, Vial 3, can be loaded from a cartridgeor another source into lobe 113, which is in position A. Thus, lobe 111holds capped Vial 1, lobe 112 holds uncapped Vial 2, lobe 113 holdsrecently loaded and capped Vial 3. Lobe 121 of the second member 120 isempty since it used to hold Cap 1, which has now been applied to Vial 1.Lobe 122 holds Cap 2.

Referring to FIG. 4F, the second member 120 is rotated 180 degrees sothat empty lobe 121 is moved from position C to position A, and lobe122, holding Cap 2 for Vial 2 is moved from position A to position C.Thus, both lobe 121 and lobe 113 holding Vial 3 are in position A. Aspinner mechanism 124 in lobe 121 removes Cap 3 from Vial 3. Vial 1 isunloaded from lobe 111 into a cartridge or other storage member. Thus,lobe 111 is empty, lobe 112 holds uncapped Vial 2, and lobe 113 holdsuncapped Vial 3. Lobe 122, of the second member 120 holds Cap 2, andlobe 121 holds Cap 3.

Referring to FIG. 4G, the first member 110 rotates 120 degrees so thatlobe 112 holding Vial 2 is moved to position C, lobe 113 holding Vial 3is moved to position B, and empty lobe 11 is moved to position A. Thus,both lobe 112 holding Vial 2 and lobe 122 holding Cap 2 are in positionC. A spinner mechanism 124 in lobe 122 applies Cap 2 to Vial 2, andcapped Vial 2 can be unloaded into a cartridge or other storage member.

Similar processing steps can be repeated as necessary. The beginning ofa repetitive cycle is shown in FIG. 4H with the loading and uncapping ofa fourth vial, thus providing continuous and automated uncapping,presentation and capping of vials. Continuous and automated capping anduncapping functions are achieved while maintaining the same cap with aparticular vial to prevent cross-contamination that can result fromplacing the wrong cap on a particular vial. Efficient uncapping andcapping of vials can be implemented by coordinating the rotation of thefirst and second members so that loading/uncapping and capping/unloadingoccur when the first and second members 120 meet at common positions,position A (loading/uncapping) and position C (capping/unloading).

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the previously describedcoordination of two rotatable members can be implemented with first andsecond members 110 and 120 having different configurations. For example,referring to FIGS. 6A-B, in an alternative embodiment, the second member120 can have a shape that is similar to the first member 110. In theillustrated embodiment, both the first and second members 110 and 120have three lobes. Thus, the first and second members 110 and 120 canshare a common axis 115, and rotation of the first and second members110 and 120 can be coordinated in a similar manner previously describedto achieve automated, continuous uncapping and capping of vials.

Vials can also be loaded and unloaded in various manners. For example,vials can be manually loaded by a cytotechnologist. Further, vials canbe presented in a cartridge or other storage element for larger-scalecontinuous operations.

For example, FIG. 7 illustrates an open-ended horizontalloading/unloading system 700 that includes a loading or feed chute orcartridge 710 and an unloading or exit chute or cartridge 720. Cappedvials are provided to the feed cartridge 710 and slide along the bottomof the cartridge 710 to position A (loading/uncapping) of the firstmember 110 in a passive manner, e.g., by the force of other vials, orwith an active element, such as a conveyor, a belt or other transportdevice. The vials that are loaded into the first member 110 areprocessed in a similar manner as previously described. After thecytotechnologist is completed with the vial and the vial is re-capped,vials exiting the first member 110 at position C are pushed along thebottom of the exit cartridge 720 for further processing or to acartridge for storage. A bottom surface of the exit cartridge 720 caninclude a coating, such as a Teflon® to facilitate vials being pushedalong the bottom surface of the cartridge 720.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a closedloading/unloading system 800. In this embodiment, one end 811 of acartridge 810 is connected to an input to the first member 110 andposition A (loading/uncapping). The other end 812 of the cartridge 810is connected to an output of the first member 110 at thecapping/unloading position C. A batch of vials can be processed aspreviously described.

To ensure that processing and sampling of vials is not repeated, one ofthe vials can be marked as the “first” vial. For example, a particularmarking or code 820, such as a bar-code, can identify a particular vialas the first vial in the cartridge 810. A reader 830, such as a bar-codereader or other suitable device, can scan the codes of the vials as theyare loaded into the first member 110. When all of the vials areprocessed and the first vial is ready to be loaded again into the firstmember, the reader 830 can provide an indication or control signal thatall of the vials have been processed, and a new batch of vials or newcartridge 810 can be loaded. An example of a mechanical method would bea door, flap, pin, etc. that tracks between the last new & the first oldvials. When it's at the uncapping position, the used vial cannotphysically be loaded.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of a further alternative embodiment of aloading and unloading system 900. This system 900 includes a loading orfeed cartridge 910, an unloading or exit cartridge 920, and a vialstorage element 930. In the illustrated embodiment, the vial storageelement 930 is a horizontal storage element in which vials move andslide horizontally along a bottom surface of the vial storage element930. The storage element 930 has an inlet 932 and an outlet 934. Anoutlet 934 may be connected to an inlet 911 of the loading cartridge910, and the inlet 932 may be connected to an outlet 921 of theunloading cartridge 920.

In the illustrated embodiment, the storage element 930 is configured sothat vials slide along the bottom of the storage element and travel backand forth within the storage element. A storage element can includevarious numbers of rows. The illustrated embodiment includes five rows941-945 of vials. The vials can rest on storage element support or floormembers 951-955. A top row 945 vial is provided to the loading cartridge910, processed, and unloaded to the exit cartridge 920.

The unloaded vial slides along the bottom surface of the storage element930 to the bottom row 941, slides left to right along support member951, slides up to the next row 942, slides right to left along supportmember 952, slides up to the next row 943, slides left to right alongsupport member 953, slides up to the next row 947, slides right to leftalong support member 954, and slides up to the top row 945, and slidesleft to right along support member 955, until the first vial reaches itsbeginning point. Indeed, persons skilled in the art will appreciate thata storage element 930 can have various numbers of rows, and thatdifferent numbers of vials occupy different sized rows. Accordingly, theparticular configuration shown in FIG. 9 is provided for purposes ofillustration and explanation, not limitation.

Vials can be passively or actively moved through the different levels ofthe storage element 930. For example, the vials can be passively movedthrough the storage element 930 by being pushed by other vials as theyexit a lobe of a rotating member. The bottom surfaces of the supportmembers can be coated with a low friction coating such as Teflon® inorder to reduce the friction between the bottoms of the vials and thebottom surface of the storage element 930.

Vials can also be moved using a conveyor, belt or other active device.Different vial transport systems may be used depending on, for example,the number, size and weight of vials, the number of levels or rows inthe storage element, and the number of vials stored per row. Whetherpassive can be used may depend on the size of the storage element andthe number of vials to be pushed within the storage element.

Further, one of the vials can be marked as the first vial so that areader can identify the first vial and provide an indication that a newbatch of vials should be loaded. Additionally, the horizontal storageelements 71, 72, 810 and 930 shown in FIGS. 7-9 can be stacked. Controlmechanisms can be used to transfer vials between levels of storageelements. In a further alternative embodiment, the vial storage elementcan be a vertical storage element rather than a horizontal storageelement as shown in FIGS. 7-9.

The previously described embodiments can also be configured to allow acytotechnologist to control the system so that a new uncapped vial isnot presented in response to a particular user input. For example, if acytotechnologist leaves the laboratory, it is desirable that an uncappedvial does not remain open when the cytotechnologist is not present toobtain or process the samples. Thus, in order to prevent uncapped vialsfrom being left open out for extended periods of time, a system can beconfigured so that the first member 110, for example, is disengaged sothat an uncapped vial is not delivered to the presentation position Band exposed to potentially contaminated environments for extendedperiods of time. This could be done using a manual switch, a solenoid oranother suitable control device.

Embodiments provide an apparatus and method that improves the handlingand processing of vials to prepare specimen slides. A cytotechnologistis not required to manually remove a cap, mark and/or track caps thatare associated with particular vials, or manually replace the cap.Rather, the uncapping and capping steps are automated, and it is nolonger necessary to mark and track caps and vials since a vial that isassociated with a particular cap is automatically placed on that vialwhen a specimen sample has been obtained. Thus, embodiments provide formore efficient and accurate slide processing and analysis thateliminates tedious, repetitive manuals tasks and provides for moreeffective slide processing and analysis of specimen samples. Further,automated uncapping and capping are performed while eliminating orgreatly reducing contamination of specimen samples.

Another embodiment provides a slide cartridge that holds slideshorizontally on one side or at least partially on one side. Thecartridge includes a bottom recess. Slides are dispensed from thecartridge through the bottom recess.

Referring to FIG. 10A, a typical specimen slide 1000 includes a topsurface 1011, a bottom surface 1012, two edges 1013 and 1014 and twosides 1015 and 1016. Referring to FIG. 10B, a known slide cartridge 1020holds a plurality of slides 1000. More particularly, the slides 1000 arestacked in a “top-bottom” arrangement or “top surface 1011 to bottomsurface 1012” arrangement. In other words, the slides are stacked one ontop of another. As a result, the bottom slide in the stack is subjectedto the weight of each of the other slides above the bottom slide. Thisarrangement and the force exerted on the bottom slide being removed fromthe stack can present problems when picking the bottom slide, e.g.,picking multiple slides and irregular movements, such as tidly-winking,as discussed earlier in the Background.

Referring to FIGS. 11A-B, according to one embodiment, a slide cartridge1100 holds a plurality of slides 1000 horizontally or at least partiallyon one side, as opposed to stacking slides on top of each other in a“top-bottom” arrangement as in known slide cartridges.

Slides can be stacked in the cartridge 1100 so that they stand up on oneside or partially on one side. In the illustrated embodiment, the sides1015 and 1016 (generally 1015) are longer than the edges 1013 and 1014(generally 1013). Slides are on their sides 1015 so that each slidestands up on a side 1015 inside the cartridge 1100. Embodiments, howeverare not so limited. For example, some slides may have shapes that aremore similar to a square than a rectangle. Such slides can be stacked atleast partially on a side 1015 or at least partially on an edge 1013since an edge may be the same as or similar to a side. For purposes ofexplanation, not limitation, this specification refers to andillustrates rectangle-shaped slides having sides 1015 that are longerthan their edges 1012 and slides being stacked within a cartridge 1100so that they stand up on one side or partially on one side. Personsskilled in the art will appreciate that other slide configurations canalso be utilized so that slides are stacked at least partially on a sideor at least partially on an edge.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 11A, the cartridge 1100 has a bottomsurface or floor 1110 having an aperture or opening 1112. The width “w”and length “l” of the aperture 1112 are larger than the width and lengthor height of a side 1015 of the slide (otherwise referred to as thethickness of the slide). The width “w” and the length “l” are sized sothat one slide passes through the aperture 1112 at a time. For example,a thickness of a typical slide can range from about 0.035″ to about0.041″, and a length of a side of slide is about 3″, e.g., about 2.985″to about 2.991″. For these exemplary rectangle-shaped slides, the width“w” of the aperture 1112 can be about 0.05″, e.g., about 0.051″ to about0.059″, and the length “l” of the aperture 1112 can be about 3″, e.g.,about 3.02 to about 3.04″. An aperture 1112 having these dimensions hasbeen determined to allow one slide to pass through the aperture 1112 ata time. Indeed, other aperture 1112 dimensions can be used withdifferent slide configurations and dimensions.

FIG. 11B illustrates a cartridge 1100 having optional edge buffer orsupport members 1120. The buffer or support members can provide furthersupport to the edges 1013 of the slides as they are pushed through thecartridge 1100, and are dispensed through the aperture 1112 formed inthe bottom 1110 of the cartridge 1100.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A-B, 12A-B and 13, a slide that isstacked on its side is dispensed from the bottom 1110 of the cartridge1100 through the aperture 1112 and onto a holding member 1130, such as aramp or a slide (generally ramp 1130). Thus, the primary vertical forcethat is applied to each slide inside the cartridge 1100 is gravity, asopposed to conventional cartridges 1000 (FIG. 10) that stack slides oneon top of the other.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ramp 1130 includes arcuate rampmembers. A slide 1000 exits the cartridge 1100 and drops onto a topvertical section of the ramp members 1130. The dispensed slide slidesalong the ramp members 1130 until the slide comes to rest on a flat orbottom portion of the ramp members 1130 where it can be selected orpicked by a slide platform or other equipment. In the illustratedembodiment, the top and bottom sections of the ramp 1130 are generallyperpendicular to each other. Thus, the slide is rotated about 90 degreesbetween being dispensed from the cartridge 1100 and coming to rest onthe ramp 1130.

The ramp 1130 can have various shapes and sizes depending on, forexample, the orientation of the slides inside the cartridge 1100 anddesign of the equipment that is used to pick the slide from the ramp1130. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11A-B and 12A-B, the illustratedramp 1130 is arcuate and generally forms an angle of about a 90 degrees.Other ramp designs that can be used include elliptical-shaped ramps orother ramp designs that appropriately position a slide on the ramp andbeneath the cartridge 1100.

In one application, referring to FIGS. 14A and, 15A, a slide platform1400 having slide support members or fingers 1410 approaches the ramp1130. An approaching slide platform 1400 may trigger the cartridge 1100to dispense a slide 1000, or a slide 1000 may be waiting for theplatform 1400, as shown in FIG. 14A. The fingers 1410, which may beextended from the platform 1400, are spaced apart from each other tosupport a slide 1000 thereon. The fingers 1410 are also spacedsufficiently close to each other so that they can pass between the rampmembers 1130.

Referring to FIGS. 14B and 15B, the fingers 1410 pick the slide 1000that is held by the ramp members 1130, and the slide 1000 is placed onthe fingers 1410. Referring to FIGS. 14C and 15C, the platform 1400 andthe fingers 1410 having the slide 1000 thereon move past the ramp 1130,removing the slide 1000 from the ramp 1130. Another slide 1000 can thenbe dispensed from the cartridge 1100 and placed on the ramp 1130 for thenext platform 1400 or for the next pass of the same platform 1400 afterthe selected slide is unloaded.

Various mechanisms can be used to draw out or dispense a slide from thecartridge 1100 and dispense the slide through the bottom recess 1112 andonto the ramp 1130. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the cartridge 1100can include spring 1600. The spring 1600 pushes slides 1000 against astop 1610. The spring 1600 can be actuated to push the next slide overtowards the stop 1610 to be dispensed through the aperture 1112 formedin the bottom of the cartridge 1100. The spring 1610 can be passive, oractuated with, for example, a solenoid or other mechanical orelectromechanical device. For example, as a slide selection platform1400 approaches the ramp 1310, the platform 1400 may activate or engagethe spring 1600, thereby pushing the spring 1600 against a slide 1000,and forcing the next slide 1000 to be dispensed from the cartridge 1100and onto the ramp 1130, where it can be picked off of the ramp 1130 byfingers 1410 of the platform 1400 moving underneath the cartridge 1100and past the ramp members 1130. Alternatively, the stop 1610 can bemoved between covering the recess 1112 and opening the recess 1112, thusselectively allowing a slide to pass through the recess 1112.

FIG. 17A illustrates another mechanism that can be used to dispenseslides 1000 from the cartridge 1110 through the bottom recess 1112. Inthis embodiment, slides 1000 rest on a conveyor element or belt 1700.The conveyor 1700 can be inside the cartridge 1100, or partially insideand partially outside of the cartridge 1100. The conveyor 1700 can bemoved so that the next slide at the end of the conveyor 1700 drops downthrough the aperture 1112 and onto the ramp 1130. Actuation of theconveyor 1700 can be coordinated with an approaching slide platform 1400that picks the slide 1000 from the ramp 1130.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 17B-F, the holding member belowthe cartridge is a belt mechanism 1720 in the form of a ramp and supportmembers 1730, which assist the slide in its decent down to the end ofthe ramp where it can be selected by fingers 1410. The belt 1720, likethe holding member shown in FIGS. 14A-C, can include two spaced beltmembers (generally “belt”) that allow fingers 1410 to pass between andselect a slide from the belt 1720.

In the illustrated embodiment, the belt 1720 rotates around hinges 1722and is restrained to have an “L” type or angled shape. Attached to theouter surfaces of the belt 1720 are support members 1730. In theillustrated embodiment, the support members 1730 are also “L” shaped andform a groove or angle 1732 for receiving an end of a slide. The belt1720 and support member 1730 may have different designs depending on thecartridge and system configurations. As the belt 1720 rotates, thesupport members 1730 also rotate along the outer surface of the belt andaround the hinges 1722.

In use, referring to FIG. 17B, the belt 1720 is rotated to a cartridgeposition or start position so that the support member 1730 that isadjacent to the cartridge 1100 receives a slide that is dispensedthrough a recess formed in the bottom of the cartridge 1100. The othersupport member 1730 is empty and at the end of the belt 1720 or at theunloading position. The slide falls down onto the support member andinto the receiving groove. The belt 1720 is rotated, thereby moving thesupport member 1730 and the slide supported thereby downward, as shownin FIG. 17C. At the same time, the empty support member 1730 that wasinitially at the unloading position moves upward along the backside ofthe belt 1720.

With this embodiment, one end of the slide is held above the belt 1720by the support member 1730, and the other end of the slide rests on thebelt 1720 and is assisted in its descent by gravity. As a result, theamount of friction between the slide and the belt holding member isreduced since one end and a substantial portion of the bottom of theslide are not initially in contact with the belt 1720.

As the belt 1720 rotates further, referring to FIG. 17D, the supportmember 1730 and the slide are positioned at the end of the belt 1720 orat the unloading position. At the same time, the empty support member1730 proceeds further up the backside of the belt 1720 towards thecartridge 1100. Referring to FIG. 17E, the belt 1720 is rotated furtherand, as a result, the support member 1730 that was carrying the sliderotates around the front end of the belt 1720 and around a hinge 1722,thereby dropping the slide onto the end of the belt 1720 at theunloading position. The slide can then be picked by fingers 1410 thatcarry the slide to a processing or other station.

The support member 1730 that has traveled around the top of the belt1720 and around the top hinge 1722 is now ready to receive the nextslide from the cartridge 1100, and the next slide drops down onto thesupport member 1730 that was previously empty. The next slide is thensupported by the support member 1730 as it descends down the belt 1720,and this process can be repeated to dispense other slides from thecartridge 1100.

In a further embodiment, referring to FIG. 18, slides can be displacedtowards the aperture 1112 using magnetic forces. For example, one end ofthe cartridge 1100 can have a first magnetic element 1810, and a slideplatform 1400 can have a second magnetic element 1820. Movement of thefirst magnetic element 1810 can cause movement of the slides 1000 insidethe cartridge 1100.

The first and second magnetic elements 1810 and 1820 can be similarlycharged so that they repel each other. Thus, as the slide platform 1400and second magnetic element attached thereto approach the cartridge 1100and the first magnetic element 1810, the magnets 1810 and 1820 repeleach other, causing a slide 1000 to be displaced towards the aperture1112. As a result of movement, and the next slide 1000 is dispensedthrough the aperture 1112 and onto the ramp 1130. Fingers 1410 of theslide platform 1400 pick the slide 1000 from the ramp 1130 and deliverthe slide 1000 to a processing station or other destination as needed.Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that various magnitudes ofrepulsive magnetic forces can be used depending on, for example, thenumber of slides in the cartridge, the distance between magneticelements and the speed at which the slide platform approaches thecartridge. Further, the platform and cartridge can be configured todisplace slides using attractive magnetic forces, e.g., a magnet elementcan attract or pull a magnet 1810 on the cartridge 1100, thus pullingthe cartridge magnet 1810 and causing a slide to exit the cartridgethrough the recess 1112.

In further embodiments, a combination of the configurations shown inFIGS. 16-18 can be used. For example, a cartridge that moves slideswithin the module may include both a spring (as in FIG. 16) and aconveyor or transport member (FIG. 17). In a further embodiment, acartridge may include a spring (FIG. 16) and repulsive magnetic forces(FIG. 18). In a further embodiment, a cartridge may include a conveyoror transport member (FIG. 17A) and magnets (FIG. 18). Variouscombinations may also include the belt 1720 and support members 1730(FIGS. 17B-F). Indeed, various configurations can be utilized to moveslides within a cartridge depending on the design of a particularsystem. FIGS. 19A-B illustrate a further alternative embodiment in whichthe slides are stacked partially on one side 1115 in the cartridge 1100.In this embodiment, the cartridge 1100 includes an angled stop 1900.Slides 1000 are positioned at an angle or partially on one side againstthe angled stop 1900. For example, the slides 1000 may be arranged inthe cartridge 1100 at an angle, for example, from about 45-90 degrees,e.g., about 60-75 degrees with respect to a horizontal or a bottomsurface 1110 of the cartridge 1100. Persons skilled in the art willappreciate that other angular arrangements can also be utilized, andthat 45-90 degrees is provided as one exemplary range of angles forpurposes of explanation and illustration, not limitation. The aperture1112 is sized so that one slide 1000 passes at an angle through theaperture 1112 at a time. Thus, the size of the aperture 1112 may beslightly larger than the aperture 1112 that is used when slides are into accommodate one slide 1000 passing through the aperture 1112 at anangle stacked on one side.

For example, the slides 1000 can be arranged at an angle of about 60-75degrees inside the cartridge 1100 and dispensed from the cartridge 1100through the aperture 1112 at an angle of about 10-45 degrees. The slides1000 can be disposed from the cartridge 1100 onto a ramp 1130, aspreviously described.

In this embodiment, the ramp 1130 can have members that are moreelliptically shaped and may be shorter than the ramp described withrespect to FIGS. 11A-14C. Further, the ramp 1130 can have a softerdescent than the ramp shown in FIGS. 11A-14C having sections that aregenerally perpendicular to each other. Thus, the end of the ramp 1130may be at an angle rather than being flat or horizontal. For example aslide 1000 held by the ramp 1130 may be held at an angle of about 10-45degrees.

The ramp 1130 can have a stop 1910 to ensure that the slide does notfall off the ramp 1130 when the slide 1000 is held on the ramp 1130 atan angle. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, an end of the ramp1130 includes a stop bump 1910. Thus, as the slide 1000 is dispensedfrom the cartridge 1100 and slides along the ramp members 1130 until oneend of the slide contacts the stop bump 1910. As a result, the slide1000 can be maintained on the ramp 1130 at an angle, one end of theslide being lower than the other end of the a slide. The slide may cometo rest at an angle of about 10-45 degrees with respect to a horizontal.Positioning the slide in this manner allows fingers 1410 of a slideplatform 1400 to engage the end of the slide that is held by the stopbump 1410.

For example, referring to FIGS. 20A-B, ends of fingers 1410 of a slideselection platform 1400 can include a friction surface or pad 2000. Inuse, referring to FIGS. 21A-G, a slide platform 1400 having the fingers1410 with the friction pads 2000 approaches the ramp 1130 holding aslide 1000 at an angle. An approaching slide platform 1400 may triggerthe cartridge 1100 to dispense a slide 1000, or a slide 1000 may bewaiting for the platform 1400, as previously discussed.

The fingers 1410 are also spaced sufficiently close to each other sothat they can pass between the ramp members 1130. As the fingers 1410approach the slide 1000, the friction pads 2000 at the ends of thefingers 1410 engage the slide 1000 that is held on the ramp 1130 at anangle by the stop bumps 1910. The friction pads 2000 engage the end ofthe slide 1000 and, the end of the slide 1000 is raised above the stopbumps 1910. As a result, the slide 1000 is released from the ramp 1130,causing the slide to fall down onto the fingers 1410. The platform 1400and the fingers 1410 having the slide 1000 thereon move past the ramp1130. Another slide 1000 can then be dispensed from the cartridge 1100and placed on the ramp 1130 for the next platform 1400 or for the nextpass of the same platform.

Embodiments that stack slides horizontally on a side or partially on aside provide a number of benefits compared to conventional “verticallystacked” slides in a cartridge. For example, slides can be dispensedfrom a cartridge using gravity. Thus, vertical forces that are appliedto individual slides, are eliminated or significantly reduced sinceslides rest on a bottom of a cartridge rather than being stacked on topof each other. As a result, the sizes of cartridges are no longerlimited by the weight or number of slides that can be stacked on top ofeach other. Rather, cartridges can have various sizes to store variousnumbers of slides since the vertical weight of other slides above is nolonger an issue. Thus, larger cartridges can be utilized, providing moreefficient processing since cartridges can be replaced with lessfrequency, resulting in less downtime of processing equipment.

Embodiments provide additional benefits relating to the positioningslides. For example, slides are dispensed from a cartridge in a moreconsistent manner so that the slide can be predictably positioned andpicked or selected by processing equipment. In contrast, slides that aredispensed from a bottom of a stack of slides can exhibit irregularmotion while being dispensed. For example, the slides may “tidly wink”or flop up at an angle while being dispensed due to the force from theweight of the slides above being applied to an edge of the slide beingpushed out from underneath the stack. Such irregular movements canresult in slide placement and picking errors, and damage to slides.Embodiment eliminate these irregular motions, thus providing movereliable and accurate slide positioning.

Further, the ramp configuration provides more flexibility for processingequipment to select and pick the slide from the ramp. For example, insome systems, slide selection platforms are moved between differentvertical positions to engage a slide that is presented at the bottom ofa cartridge. With embodiments having a ramp, however, the slide ispresented at a level where the selection platform or fingers extendingthere from can pass between the ramp members at a consistent verticalposition to select and pick the slide from the end of the ramp members.In other words, a slide is presented to a picking mechanism in a desiredposition. Thus, it is not necessary to raise and lower slide platformsin order to access a slide, thus simplifying the programming and controland longevity of processing equipment. Additionally, embodimentssimplify other related mechanical, electrical, software and controlcomponents since the slide is presented on a ramp in a consistent mannerand easily accessible to a slide picking mechanism. Further, asnecessary, the cartridge can be configured with a stop that closes theaperture in the bottom of the cartridge. When the cartridge is insertedinto a processing system, the stop can be actuated to open thecartridge. Thus, when not in use, the stop allows the cartridge to bemoved from place to place without slides falling out of the cartridgethrough the aperture.

In a further embodiment, referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, a slidepresentation module 2200 includes a cartridge or outer body 2210, ashaft 2220, trays 2230 that hold slides 2235, a drive mechanism 2240,such as a motor, and an actuator 2250. Trays 2230 are connected to theshaft 2220 and can hold a slide 2235 thereon. The drive mechanism 2240is coupled to the shaft 2220 to rotate the shaft 2220 and the trays 2230attached thereto. The actuator 2250 is activated so that the actuator2240 displaces a slide 2235 that is initially at rest on a tray 2230,displacing the slide from an original position on the tray 2230 insidethe cartridge 2210 to an extended position that is partially orcompletely outside of the cartridge 2210.

More particularly, referring to FIGS. 22-24D, in the illustratedembodiments, the cartridge 2210 has a circular shape and defines avertical slot 2215. The slot 2215 has a width to allow a slide to passthrough the slot 2215. The slot 2215 may extend for the entire height ofthe cartridge 2210 (as shown in FIGS. 24A-B) or for a portion of theheight of the cartridge 2210 (as shown in FIGS. 24C-D). Persons skilledin the art will appreciate that the cartridge 2210 can have other shapesbesides circular shapes and different slot 2215 configurations. Thus,embodiments shown with a circularly shaped cartridge 2210 are providedfor explanation and illustration, not limitation.

The trays 2230 and the slides 2235 thereon wrap around the shaft 2220and are arranged in a circular fanning, helical or spiral staircase typearrangement. Slides 2235 can be initially loaded onto a circular orfanning arrangement of trays 2230 by arranging the slides 2235 as avertical stack (one on top of another), and rotating radially andvertically offset trays 2230 into the stack of slides 2235 so that aslide 2235 is placed on each tray 2230 as the trays 2230 are rotated. Asa result, it is not necessary for a cytotechnologist to manually place aslide on each tray. Rather, the slides can be placed onto respectivetrays in a semi-automated manner by rotating the trays and forcing aslide onto each tray. Thus, in one embodiment having 120 trays 2230, 120slides 2235 can be placed onto respective trays 2230, and each tray 2230and slide 2235 are radially and vertically displaced from an adjacenttray 2230 and slide 2235.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, each tray 2230 isradially and vertically offset from an adjacent tray 2230, i.e., a trayabove a subject tray and a tray below a subject tray. The amount of theradial offset and vertical offset can vary depending on the number oftrays 2230 and other design considerations.

For example, with a cartridge 2210 and a shaft 2220 capable of storingand holding 120 trays and 120 slides, the radial offset of one tray 2230from an adjacent tray 2230 can be determined by calculating (360degrees/# of trays). In the example with 120 trays 2230, each tray 2230can be offset from an adjacent tray 2230 by 3 degrees. For example, with60 trays, the offset can be 360 degrees/60 trays=6 degrees. Indeed,other radial offsets may be used with different numbers of trays 2230.Thus, an offset of 3 degrees for 120 trays is merely provided as oneexemplary radial offset. The vertical offset can be, for example, about0.041″ to about 0.051″, and can vary depending on, for example, thedesign and height of the cartridge 2210, the height and number of thetrays 2230, and the size of the shaft 2220.

In one embodiment, as shown in further detail in FIGS. 25 and 26, eachtray 2230 is radially and vertically offset from an adjacent tray 2230by approximately the same number of degrees and the same height.Further, in the illustrated embodiment, all of the trays 2230 areapproximately the same length, and thus, extend from the central shaft2220 for about the same distance. This configuration may be advantageousso that a the shaft can be rotated a consistent number of degrees toposition the next tray and next slide to be processed. Persons skilledin the art will appreciate that other configurations can also beutilized, and it is not necessary that the radial and vertical offsetsof the trays 2230 and slides 2235 necessarily be the same.

The motor 2240 rotates the shaft 2220, thus rotating the trays 2230 andslides 2235 thereon around the shaft 2220. The motor 2240 can rotate theshaft 2220 in a stepwise or intermittent manner (e.g. 3 degrees perstep) so that a tray 2230 and a slide 2235 are positioned adjacent tothe slot 2215 after each step.

In use, referring to FIG. 27, in step 2700, slides are initially loadedonto trays. For example, as previously discussed, slides 2235 can beloaded onto a circular or fanning arrangement of trays 2230 by arrangingthe slides 2235 in a stack, and rotating radially and vertically offsettrays 2230 into the stack of slides 2235 so that a slide 2235 is placedon each tray 2230.

In step 2710, a first tray and a first slide thereon are initiallypositioned at the slot of the cartridge. The first tray and first slidemay be so positioned with or without activation of the motor to rotatethe shaft depending on how the trays with slides are initially arrangedin the cartridge 2210.

In step 2720, an actuator is activated to contact the next or topavailable slide. As a result, the slide is displaced from its originalposition on the first tray to an extended position. In step 2730, acytotechnologist, a robotic device, or another slide processing stationcan retrieve and remove the slide in the extended position from itstray.

The extended position can be a slide being a first slide 2235 isdisplaced from an initial position 2800 to an extended position, whichcan be a presentation position 2810 or an ejected position 2820. In thepresentation position 2810, in the absence of any vertical supports(beyond that, as in this example, supplied by the friction wheel 2900 ofactuator 2250 as shown in FIG. 29), at least half of the presented firstslide should remain on the tray for purposes of balance and stability.In the presentation position, the first slide is displaced along thefirst tray and remains on the first tray. One end of the first slideextends partially outside of the cartridge 2210 through the slot so thatthe first slide can be handled or grabbed by a cytotechnologist.

Alternatively, a slide 2235 can be displaced from an initial position2800 to an ejected position 2820. In the ejected position, the actuatorcan displace the first slide completely off of the first tray and out ofthe cartridge through the slot and onto, for example, another piece ofslide processing equipment or a conveyor system.

Various actuators can be used to displace a slide from an initialposition to an extended position. For example, the actuator can be amanual actuator, such as a switch or lever, that is activated by acytotechnologist to present or eject a slide from the cartridge. Theactuator can also be a friction wheel 2900, as shown in FIG. 29. Anouter circumferential surface 2910 of the friction wheel 2900 contacts atop surface of the slide. The friction wheel 2900 rotates at asufficient speed to at least partially displace a slide from theoriginal position on the tray from the original position to the extendedposition when the friction wheel 2900 contacts a slide. Alternatively,as shown in FIG. 30, the actuator can be a reciprocating member 3000that moves back and forth and engages an edge of a slide to displace theslide from its initial position to an extended position.

Referring again to FIG. 27, in step 2740, the motor rotates the shaft sothat a second tray having a second slide is rotated into a positionadjacent to the slot, thus assuming the previous position of the firsttray, which is now empty. In the example provided, the motor can rotatethe shaft 3 degrees, to place the second tray and second slide adjacentto the slot.

In step 2750, an actuator is activated to contact the second slide. As aresult, the second slide is displaced from its original position on thesecond tray to an extended position. In step 2760, a cytotechnologist, arobotic device, or another slide processing station can retrieve andremove the slide from its tray in the extended position. The processrepeats, as necessary to present or eject additional slides for third,fourth and subsequent slides rotating the shaft in a stepwise manner,e.g., 3 degrees per step, to position the next tray and slide adjacentto the slot.

In one embodiment, the slides are rotated and raised up to the actuationmember 2250 such as a friction wheel. For example, the trays 2230 may berotated so that the empty trays are indexed above the actuation member2250, and the next slide to be displaced is positioned so that theactuator 2250 can displace the slide to the extended position.Alternatively, the actuator 2250, can be indexed downward to the nextslide that is positioned adjacent tot the slot 2215. Persons skilled inthe art will appreciate that different indexing and rotationalconfigurations can be used with different cartridge designs.

Embodiments provide an apparatus and an effective manner of presentingor removing slides from a cartridge while eliminating the verticalforces that otherwise result when slides are stacked one on top ofanother in a cartridge. Thus, the slides are reliably positioned asneeded, without irregular movements that may otherwise occur as a resultof uneven vertical forces being applied to edges of slides when slidesare stacked on top of each other.

Although references have been made in the foregoing description tovarious embodiments, persons skilled in the art will recognize thatinsubstantial modifications, alterations, and substitutions can be madeto the described embodiments without departing from embodiments asclaimed.

1. An apparatus for uncapping and capping a vial while maintaining arelationship between a cap and a particular vial, the apparatuscomprising: a first rotatable member, the first member being capable ofholding a vial in a plurality of positions; a second rotatable member,the second member being capable of uncapping and capping a vial,rotation of the first and second members being coordinated so that thefirst and second members assume at least two common positions, a cappedvial being loaded into the first member and a cap being removed from thevial and held by the second member while the first and second membersare in a first common position, and the cap being applied to the vial bythe second member while in the first and second members are in a secondcommon position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, the second member beingrotatable above the first member.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, the firstmember being rotatable among three positions.
 4. The apparatus of claim3, the three positions being: a loading and uncapping position, apresentation position, and a capping and unloading position.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, the first member having three lobes that arearranged in a triangle-like shape, each lobe being capable of receivingand holding a vial.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, the second memberhaving two lobes, each lobe being capable of uncapping and capping avial.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, the second member being rotatableabout a different axis than the first member.
 8. The apparatus of claim1, the second member rotating about the same axis as the first member.9. The apparatus of claim 1, the first member having three lobes and thesecond member having two lobes.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, the firstand second members both having three lobes.
 11. The apparatus of claim1, the second member being rotated a greater number degrees than thefirst member during each instance of rotation of the first and secondmembers.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, the second member being rotatedabout 180 degrees and the first member being rotated about 120 degrees.13. The apparatus of claim 1, the second member being rotated about thesame number degrees as the first member during each instance of rotationof the first and second members.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, the firstand second members being rotated 120 degrees.
 15. The apparatus of claim1, the re-capped vial being unloaded from the first member while thefirst and second members are at the second common position.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 1, the vial being loaded into the first member bygravity when the first and second members are at the first commonposition.
 17. An apparatus for uncapping and capping a vial whilemaintaining the relationship between a cap and a particular vial,comprising: a first member, the first member capable of being rotatedand holding a vial in a plurality of positions, a second member, thesecond member capable of being rotated and uncapping and capping a vial,rotation of the first and second members being coordinated so that afirst vial is loaded into the first member when the first member is in afirst position, the second member is placed in an uncapping position toremove and hold a first cap that is associated with the first vial whenthe first member is in the first position, the first member is rotatedfrom the first position to a second position to present the uncappedvial, the second member is rotated from the uncapping position to acapping position, the first member holding the uncapped vial is rotatedfrom the second position to a third position, and the second memberapplies the first cap that is associated with the first vial to thefirst vial to close the first vial when the second member is in thecapping position and the first member is in the third position.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17, the second member being rotated above the firstmember.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, the first member having threelobes arranged in a triangle-like shape, each lobe defining a cavity forreceiving and holding a vial.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, the secondmember having two lobes, each lobe having a mechanism for uncapping andcapping a vial.
 21. The apparatus of claim 17, the second member beingrotated about a different axis than the first member.
 22. The apparatusof claim 17, the second member being rotated about the same axis as thefirst member.
 23. The apparatus of claim 17, the second member beingrotated a greater number degrees than the first member during eachinstance of rotation of the first and second members.
 24. The apparatusof claim 17, the second member being rotated the same number degrees asthe first member during each instance of rotation of the first andsecond members.
 25. The apparatus of claim 17, the re-capped vial beingunloaded from the first member while the first member is in the thirdposition and the second member is in the uncapping position.
 26. Theapparatus of claim 17, the first position of the first member and theloading position of the second member being the same position.
 27. Theapparatus of claim 17, the third position of the first member and thecapping position of the second member being the same position.
 28. Amethod for uncapping and capping a vial while maintaining a relationshipbetween a cap and a particular vial, comprising: providing a firstmember, the first member capable of being rotated and holding a vial ina plurality of positions, providing a second member, the second membercapable of being rotated between uncapping and capping positions,placing the first member in a first position and the second member in anuncapping position, the first and uncapping positions being aligned witheach other; loading a first vial into the first member when the firstmember is in the first position; removing a first cap from the firstvial with the second member in the uncapping position, the second memberholding the first cap that is associated with the first vial; rotatingthe first member from the first position to a second position to presentthe uncapped first vial to a user, rotating the second member holdingthe first cap from the uncapping position to a capping position;rotating the first member holding the uncapped first vial from thesecond position to a third position, the third and capping positionbeing aligned with each other, applying the first cap that is associatedwith the first vial to the first vial to close the first vial using thesecond member in the capping position.
 29. The method of claim 28, thesecond member rotating above the first member.
 30. The method of claim28, the second member rotating about a different axis than the firstmember.
 31. The method of claim 29, the second member rotating about thesame axis as the first member.
 32. The method of claim 28, the secondmember rotating a greater number degrees than the first member duringeach instance of rotation of the first and second members.
 33. Themethod of claim 28, the second member being rotated the same numberdegrees as the first member during each instance of rotation of thefirst and second members.
 34. An apparatus for storing and dispensingslides, each slide having a top surface to which a specimen sample canbe applied, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a first side, asecond side opposite the first side, a first end, and a second endopposite the first end, the first and second sides and the first andsecond ends extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the apparatuscomprising: a cartridge, the cartridge being configured to hold aplurality of slides, the plurality of slides being horizontally stackedon a bottom surface of the cartridge so that the plurality of slidesstand up at least partially on one side; the bottom surface of thecartridge defining a recess, a slide being dispensed from the cartridgethrough the recess so that, a side of the slide initially exits thecartridge through the recess.
 35. The apparatus of claim 1, theplurality of slides being stacked in a horizontal arrangement so thateach slide stands up on one side on the bottom surface of the cartridgeand substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of the cartridge.36. The apparatus of claim 1, the plurality of slides being arrangedpartially on one side and an angle of about 45-90 degrees with respectto the bottom surface of the cartridge.
 37. The apparatus of claim 36, aslide that is arranged at an angle of about 45-90 degrees inside thecartridge being dispensed through the recess and arranged at an angle ofabout 10-45 degrees with respect to the bottom surface of the cartridge.38. The apparatus of claim 34, further comprising a holding member, aslide being dispensed through the recess defined by the bottom surfaceof the cartridge and onto the holding member.
 39. The apparatus of claim38, the slide on the holding member being arranged substantiallyperpendicular to slides within the cartridge.
 40. The apparatus of claim38, the slide on the holding member being arranged at an angle of about10-45 degrees relative to the bottom surface of the cartridge.
 41. Theapparatus of claim 38, the slide on the holding member being arranged atan angle that is smaller than an angle of the slides within thecartridge, the angles measured with reference to the bottom surface ofthe cartridge.
 42. The apparatus of claim 38, the holding member havinga pair of ramp members, the ramp members being spaced apart from eachother, top sections of the ramp members being in communication with therecess.
 43. The apparatus of claim 42, bottom sections of the rampmembers being substantially parallel to the bottom surface of thecartridge.
 44. The apparatus of claim 42, top sections of the rampmembers being substantially perpendicular to the bottom surface of thecartridge,
 45. The apparatus of claim 42, a bottom surface of the slidecontacting a top surface of the ramp members after the slide isdispensed from the cartridge through the recess.
 46. The apparatus ofclaim 45, a bottom surface of the dispensed slide sliding along the rampmembers until the slide comes to rest on the ramp members.
 47. Theapparatus of claim 46, the dispensed slide coming to rest and beingarranged substantially perpendicular to slides in the cartridge.
 48. Theapparatus of claim 46, the dispensed slide coming to rest and beingarranged at an angle that is smaller than an angle of the slides in thecartridge, the angle being determined with reference to the bottomsurface of the cartridge.
 49. The apparatus of claim 42, the rampmembers comprising arcuate ramp members.
 50. The apparatus of claim 42,ramp members being elliptical ramp members.
 51. The apparatus of claim34, none of the slides being stacked vertically or on a top or bottomsurface within the cartridge.
 52. The apparatus of claim 34, gravitybeing a primary vertical force that is applied to an individual slidewithin the cartridge.
 53. The apparatus of claim 34, gravity being aprimary vertical force that causes the slide to be dispensed from thecartridge through the recess.
 54. The apparatus of claim 34, the bottomsurface of the cartridge defining a recess having a size for dispensingone slide at a time through the bottom recess.
 55. An apparatus forstoring and dispensing slides, each slide having a top surface to whicha specimen sample can be applied, a bottom surface opposite the topsurface, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a firstend, and a second end opposite the first end, the first and second sidesand the first and second ends extending between the top and bottomsurfaces, the apparatus comprising: a cartridge, the cartridge beingconfigured to hold a plurality of slides, the plurality of slides beinghorizontally stacked on a bottom surface of the cartridge so that theplurality of slides stand up on one side and substantially perpendicularto a bottom surface of the cartridge; the bottom surface of thecartridge defining recess, a slide being dispensed from the cartridgethrough the recess so that a side of the slide initially exits thecartridge through the recess.
 56. The apparatus of claim 55, furthercomprising a holding member, a slide being dispensed through the recessdefined by the bottom surface of the cartridge and onto the holdingmember.
 57. The apparatus of claim 55, the slide dispensed onto theholding member being arranged substantially perpendicular to slides thatare arranged on one side in the cartridge.
 58. The apparatus of claim55, a bottom surface of the slide contacting a top surface of theholding member after the slide is dispensed from the cartridge throughthe recess.
 59. The apparatus of claim 55, none of the slides beingstacked vertically or on a top or bottom surface within the cartridge.60. The apparatus of claim 55, gravity being a primary vertical forcethat is applied to an individual slide in the cartridge.
 61. Theapparatus of claim 55, gravity being a primary vertical force thatcauses a slide to be dispensed from the cartridge through the recess.62. The apparatus of claim 55, the bottom surface of the cartridgedefining a recess having a size for dispensing one slide at a timethrough the recess.
 63. An apparatus for storing and dispensing slides,each slide having a top surface to which a specimen sample can beapplied, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a first side, asecond side opposite the first side, a first end, and a second endopposite the first end, the first and second sides and the first andsecond ends extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the apparatuscomprising: a cartridge, the cartridge being configured to hold aplurality of slides; the plurality of slides being horizontally stackedon a bottom surface of the cartridge and arranged to stand up at leastpartially on one side and at an angle 45-90 degrees relative to a bottomsurface of the cartridge; the bottom surface of the cartridge defining arecess, a slide being dispensed from the cartridge through the recess sothat, a side of the slide initially exits the cartridge through therecess.
 64. The apparatus of claim 63, a slide being dispensed throughthe recess at an angle of about 10-45 degrees.
 65. The apparatus ofclaim 63, further comprising a holding member, a slide being dispensedthrough the recess and onto the holding member.
 66. The apparatus ofclaim 63, the slide being arranged on the holding member at an anglethat is smaller than an angle of the slides in the cartridge, the anglesmeasured with reference to the bottom surface of the cartridge.
 67. Theapparatus of claim 63, a bottom surface of the slide contacting a topsurface of the ramp members after the slide is dispensed from thecartridge through the recess.
 68. The apparatus of claim 63, none of theslides being stacked vertically or on a top or bottom surface within thecartridge.
 69. The apparatus of claim 63, gravity being a primaryvertical force that is applied to an individual slide in the cartridge.70. The apparatus of claim 63, gravity being a primary vertical forcethat causes the slide to be dispensed from the cartridge through thebottom recess.
 71. The apparatus of claim 1, the bottom surface of thecartridge defining a recess having a size for dispensing one slide at atime through the recess.
 72. A method for storing and dispensing slides,each slide having a top surface to which a specimen sample can beapplied, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a first side, asecond side opposite the first side, a first end, and a second endopposite the first end, the first and second sides and the first andsecond ends extending between the top and bottom surfaces, the methodcomprising: providing a cartridge, the cartridge being configured tohold a plurality of slides, the plurality of slides being horizontallystacked on a bottom surface of the cartridge so that the plurality ofslides stand up at least partially on one side, the bottom surface ofthe cartridge defining a recess; dispensing a slide from the cartridgethrough the recess so that a side of the slide initially exits thecartridge through the recess.
 73. An apparatus for storing andpresenting slides, comprising: a cartridge, the cartridge defining aslot; a shaft; a plurality of trays extending from the shaft, each traybeing capable of holding a slide, a motor, the motor being coupled theshaft to rotate the shaft and the trays extending from the shaft insidethe cartridge; an actuator, the actuator contacting a slide on a tray,displacing the contacted slide from an original position on the trayinside the cartridge to an extended position through the slot and atleast partially outside of the cartridge.
 74. The apparatus of claim 73,each tray being radially and vertically offset from an adjacent tray.75. The apparatus of claim 74, each tray being radially offset from anadjacent tray by the same number of degrees.
 76. The apparatus of claim75, each tray being radially offset from an adjacent tray by a number ofdegrees determined by: 360 degrees/# of trays.
 77. The apparatus ofclaim 76, 120 trays extending from the shaft, each tray being radiallyoffset from an adjacent tray by 3 degrees.
 78. The apparatus of claim73, each tray being vertically offset from an adjacent tray.
 79. Theapparatus of claim 73, the cartridge having a circular body.
 80. Theapparatus of claim 73, the cartridge defining a vertical slot.
 81. Theapparatus of claim 73, the trays being configured in a fanning orhelical arrangement along the shaft.
 82. The apparatus of claim 73, theactuator comprising a wheel, the wheel rotating at a sufficient speed toat least partially displace a slide from the original position on thetray from the original position to the extended position when an outercircumferential surface of the wheel contacts a slide.
 83. The apparatusof claim 73, the actuator comprising a reciprocating member, thereciprocating member moving back and forth to contact a slide and atleast partially displace the contacted slide from the original positionto the extended position.
 84. The apparatus of claim 73, the actuatorcontacting a top available slide.
 85. The apparatus of claim 73, theextended position being a presentation position in which a slide ispartially on a tray and partially outside of the cartridge.
 86. Theapparatus of claim 73, the extended position being an ejected positionin which a slide is completely displaced from a tray and outside of thecartridge.
 87. The apparatus of claim 73, all of the trays extendingfrom the shaft for about the same distance.
 88. The apparatus of claim74, the motor rotating the shaft in a stepwise manner.
 89. An apparatusfor storing and presenting slides, comprising: a circular cartridge, thecircular cartridge defining a vertical slot, the vertical slot; acentral shaft; a plurality of trays extending from the central shaft,each tray being capable of holding a slide thereon, a motor, the motorbeing coupled the central shaft to rotate the central shaft and theplurality of trays extending there from inside the cartridge; anactuator, the actuator contacting a slide on a tray, displacing thecontacted slide from an original position on the tray inside thecartridge to an extended position through the slot and at leastpartially outside of the cartridge.
 90. The apparatus of claim 89, eachtray being radially and vertically offset from an adjacent tray.
 91. Theapparatus of claim 90, each tray being radially offset from an adjacenttray by the same number of degrees.
 92. The apparatus of claim 91, eachtray being radially offset from an adjacent tray by a number of degreesdetermined by: 360 degrees/# of trays.
 93. The apparatus of claim 20,120 trays extending from the central shaft, each tray being radiallyoffset from an adjacent tray by 3 degrees.
 94. The apparatus of claim90, each tray being vertically offset from an adjacent tray by the sameheight.
 95. The apparatus of claim 90, the trays being configured in afanning or helical arrangement along the central shaft.
 96. Theapparatus of claim 90, the actuator comprising a wheel, the wheelrotating at a sufficient speed to at least partially displace a slidefrom the original position on the tray from the original position to theextended position when an outer circumferential surface of wheelcontacts a slide.
 97. The apparatus of claim 90, the actuator comprisinga reciprocating member, the reciprocating member moving back and forthto contact a slide and at least partially displace the contacted slidefrom the original position to the extended position.
 98. The apparatusof claim 89, the actuator contacting a top available slide.
 99. Theapparatus of claim 90, the extended position being a presentationposition in which a slide is partially on a tray and partially outsideof the cartridge.
 100. The apparatus of claim 90, the extended positionbeing an ejected position in which a slide is completely displaced froma tray and outside of the cartridge.
 101. The apparatus of claim 90, allof the trays extending about the same distance from the central shaft.102. The apparatus of claim 90, the motor rotating the central shaft andthe trays extending there from in a stepwise manner.
 103. An apparatusfor storing and presenting slides, comprising: a circular cartridge, thecircular cartridge defining a vertical slot; a central shaft; aplurality of trays extending from the central shaft, each tray beingcapable of holding a slide thereon, each tray being radially andvertically offset from an adjacent tray and having a fanning or in afanning or helical arrangement; a motor, the motor being coupled thecentral shaft to rotate the central shaft and the plurality of traysextending there from inside the cartridge in a stepwise manner; anactuator, the actuator contacting a top available slide on a tray,displacing the contacted slide from an original position on the trayinside the cartridge to an extended position through the slot and atleast partially outside of the cartridge.